Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra

08/21/2026

🎶 There’s nothing quite like experiencing music up close!

During BCSD’s annual Music in Our Schools Week, music teachers are visiting every elementary school, bringing this year’s “K-Pop!” theme and other familiar favorites to life while introducing students to instruments they can learn through school. 🎻✨

Bakersfield Symphony is proud to support this annual tradition and the incredible music educators who make experiences like these possible for students across our community. 💙

08/19/2026

🎶 A new school year means new opportunities to connect students with music! 🍎

From BSO NEXT and Young People’s Concerts to Kids Discover Music and the new BSO Urner Music Academy, Bakersfield Symphony offers programs that help students experience, explore, and grow through music throughout the school year. 🎻🎶

Educators, discover opportunities for your students, including FREE programs, and help us spread the word!

📸2: Natalia Perez, Education & Creative Engagement Manager, with Brigitt Sakai, Director of Finance, at BCSD Visual and Performing Arts Summer Music Academy Concert.

08/09/2026

🎻 Community, connection, and continued growth.

Executive Director Nick Gonzalez joined fellow symphony leaders from across California for the Executive Director Peer Forum at the Association of California Symphony Orchestras 2026 Conference. It was a great opportunity to share ideas, build connections, and explore new ways to strengthen our Symphony. 💙

08/06/2026

Behind every unforgettable performance is a musician who has dedicated countless hours to their craft.

The Sustain Campaign is a chance to connect with the music in a meaningful way by sponsoring a musician’s chair and celebrating the artists who bring our stage to life.

We are deeply grateful to our Sustain Sponsors for standing beside our musicians and helping ensure the music continues for seasons to come.

Help sustain the music. One chair at a time. 💛
www.bsonow.org/sustain

08/04/2026

🇺🇸 Looking back on a wonderful afternoon commemorating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

A Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra quartet was honored to be part of this community celebration, using music to help commemorate this historic milestone.

Thank you to the Kern County Library, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Bakersfield College Chamber Choir, and everyone who joined the celebration. We were grateful to share this special afternoon with our community. ❤️🤍💙

08/02/2026

Happy Friendship Day from the Bakersfield Symphony! 💙

The best part of the Symphony isn’t just the music. It’s the people who share it.

Here’s to the friendships that make our Symphony community even more meaningful! 🎶

07/29/2026

Join us for this FREE event as we celebrate together! 🇺🇸

🇺🇸🎶 Celebrate America’s 250th at Beale Memorial Library!
Join us for a special afternoon featuring the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra Quartet, Bakersfield College Chamber Choir, and the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard. Enjoy beloved American classics, learn about the history of the Color Guard, and hear excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. 📜✨
📅 Friday, July 31
⏰ 2:00 PM–3:30 PM
📍 Beale Memorial Library Auditorium

07/24/2026

Our BSO family’s artistry extends throughout our community! 🎶🏴‍☠️

BSO Musicologist Dr. Scott Dirkse is serving as Music Director for Bakersfield College’s production of “Pirates! The Penzance Musical.”

“It’s been so rewarding bringing this modern telling of a classic musical to life for its Kern County debut. I have the privilege of leading an 18-piece orchestra that gets to blend timeless Gilbert and Sullivan music with New Orleans jazz and other fun musical styles. The show is clever, funny, and highly entertaining!”

We’re proud to celebrate Scott and the many ways members of our BSO family contribute to the arts throughout Kern County. Congratulations to Scott and the entire cast, orchestra and creative team!

Performances continue through Sunday, July 26. ⚓️

07/21/2026

Music is always moving. It moves through cultures, through stories, through celebration and reflection, and most importantly, through people. Our 95th season takes us from fiery folk rhythms and cinematic storytelling through intimate musical conversations and bold symphonic finales.

Along the way, we are proud to feature many of our own Bakersfield Symphony musicians as soloists, celebrating the extraordinary artistry within our orchestra family. Each concert brings its own energy, atmosphere and sense of discovery, reminding us why live music continues to bring people together in such a powerful way. We can’t wait to share this season with you.

🎟️ Season tickets are available now.

🎫 Single tickets go on sale September 8.

📅 Explore the full season lineup at www.bsonow.org/calendar

07/20/2026

Through music, students gain skills that last a lifetime.

Thank you, Steve Sanders, for sharing why music education matters to our community. 💙